The Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC) will host Robert J. Griffin, professor of radiation biology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, at 12:55 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Bell Engineering 2267. In his talk, Griffin will discuss his work examining possible routes to avoid or exploit tumor hypoxia for specific drug actions or with thermal therapy to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Abstract: Severe hypoxia in locally advanced tumors occurs from a combination of tumor proliferation and inefficient vascular and lymphatic flow. Hypoxic, yet viable, cells in cancer are extremely resistant to several therapy modalities, including radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. By exposing tumors to mild heating, the blood flow can increase and improve oxygenation and subsequent response to other therapy. In a related study, we are working to determine the hypoxic radiation response of F98 rat glioma cells when given graded doses of photons or protons to determine the predicted radiation dose that would be required to eliminate all hypoxic cells. Another approach is to exploit tumor hypoxia for therapeutic gain. We have been studying glutaminase inhibition and have determined that inhibition of glutaminase results in markedly more cytotoxicity when cells are in a hypoxic vs oxic environment. Possible routes to avoid or exploit hypoxia for specific drug actions or with thermal therapy will be discussed.

Biography: Robert J. Griffin, Ph.D., is professor of radiation biology in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. His research has focused on the effects of thermal exposures on the solid tumor microenvironment, particularly tumor oxygenation, and how to exploit these effects to improve tumor control. Earlier, his laboratory published a series of papers on anti-angiogenic/vascular targeting agents against myeloma and breast cancer models and the development of labeled compounds for PET imaging. These projects have been supported by continuous funding from the NIH or NSF since 2004. In 2023-2024, Dr. Griffin received fellowships from the Curie Institute and the University of Paris-Saclay to support a sabbatical research project in Paris on spatially fractionated radiation, tumor hypoxia and proton therapy. Current editorial posts include associate editor for radiotherapy for Technology in Cancer Research and Treatment, associate editor for biology for Radiation Research and associate editor for biology for the International Journal of Hyperthermia.

This event is supported by NIGMS of the National Institutes of Health under award number P20GM139768. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Pizza and beverages will be served. Please contact Kimberley Fuller, fullerk@uark.edu, for more information.

For those unable to attend in person, this seminar will also be available via Zoom.